West

Carson City, NV

Capital of Nevada

Nevada State Capitol Building

Overview

Carson City is the capital city of Nevada, located in the West region of the United States. Founded in 1858, the city has grown to a population of approximately 58,639 residents within a state of 3,104,614 people. As the seat of Nevada's state government, Carson City serves as the political and administrative center of the state.

The city is home to the Nevada State Capitol, a Neoclassical / Italianate structure that has been a landmark since its completion in 1871. Designed by Joseph Gosling, the capitol building stands as a testament to the state's history and governance, attracting visitors from across the country and around the world.

Carson City has served as the capital of Nevada since 1861.

Nevada State Capitol

The Nevada State Capitol in Carson City is a handsome Neoclassical building with Italianate elements, constructed from native sandstone quarried from the state prison nearby. While the governor's office remains in the building, the legislature moved to a separate modern building in 1971. The octagonal silver-painted dome and cupola are distinctive features of this historic structure, which is surrounded by mature trees on beautifully landscaped grounds.

Year Built
1871
Architect
Joseph Gosling
Architectural Style
Neoclassical / Italianate
Building Area
24,000 sq ft
National Register
Listed

Notable Features

  • Native sandstone exterior quarried by state prisoners
  • Octagonal silver-painted dome and cupola
  • Governor's office still located in the original building
  • Surrounding grounds with century-old trees
  • Nevada history exhibits in the building
  • Annex wings added in 1906

Media Gallery

Nevada State Capitol Building

Original footage coming soon! User-submitted photos welcome.

Fun Facts & Trivia

  • The Nevada State Capitol was built with sandstone quarried by prisoners from the nearby Nevada State Prison.
  • Carson City was named after frontiersman Kit Carson, who explored the area in the 1840s.
  • Nevada was rushed into statehood in 1864 during the Civil War, partly to secure its silver wealth for the Union.
  • The state's nickname, 'The Silver State,' reflects the Comstock Lode silver strike that drove Nevada's early development.
  • Carson City is an independent city, meaning it is not part of any county -- it functions as both a city and a county.
  • The Nevada State Capitol is one of the smaller and more modest capitols in the western United States.